Multi pound meth trafficking organization with Corbin ties dismantled

Dustin Bice was taken into custody Thursday in Laurel County near Corbin.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies have made two arrests in connection with a local multi pound methamphetamine drug trafficking organization, which they say has been dismantled and was distributing drugs in the Corbin area, according to a sheriff’s department release late Friday afternoon.

Deputy Dylan Messer initiated the investigation on Jan. 25.

Through the investigation, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Narcotics Interdiction Team learned that Jalen Pasley, also known as Jalen Marshall, 29, of Louisville, was allegedly engaged in the distribution of multiple pound quantities of methamphetamine from Louisville to Laurel County, the release stated.

Further investigation revealed that Dustin Bice, 29, of Corbin, allegedly received pound quantities of methamphetamine from Pasley that was then distributed in the Corbin area, according to the release.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Interdiction Team and Kentucky State Police Auto Theft utilized a license plate reader in an effort to intercept Pasley enroute to allegedly deliver methamphetamine.

Late that night, Pasley was stopped by deputies as he traveled to Corbin. He initially stopped then attempted to flee from officers, according to the release.

“Pasley led officers on a high-speed pursuit from Exit 38 to the 19-mile marker in Whitley County where Pasley was involved in a non-injury accident. Pasley was taken into custody by Sheriff’s units and it was determined that Pasley had thrown approximately 2 lbs. of methamphetamine from the vehicle during the chase,” the release stated.

Pasley, who is a convicted felon, was also found to be in possession of a firearm, according to the release.

With the assistance of the London Police Department and Kentucky State Police, officers located the discarded methamphetamine on I-75 around the 36-mile marker.

Pasley was arrested and lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

According to the jail’s website, Pasley was booked at 4:52 a.m. on Jan. 27 and was charged with speeding 26 mph or great over the speed limit, first degree fleeing or evading police (motor vehicle), careless driving, reckless driving, first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree wanton endangerment (police officer).

He is being held in jail in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond, and is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 1 in Laurel District Court.

On Thursday, Jan. 27, in furtherance of the investigation, the South East Kentucky Regional Special Response Team and Laurel County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Bice, according to the release.

Bice was taken into custody and officers recovered explosives and firearms at the residence. The Kentucky State Police Hazardous Devices Unit and the ATF assisted in the recovery of the explosives, which they safely disposed of, according to the release.

Bice was arrested and lodged in the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.

“This case has been referred to our Federal partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration for prosecution,” the sheriff’s department stated in the release.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root said that drug investigations and arrests will continue in Laurel County.

K-9 Detective Jake Miller is the case officer, and other officers from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department involved in the investigation included: Detective Bryon Lawson, and deputies L. Collett, Justin Taylor and Tommy Houston. KSP Auto Theft Detective Nick Metcalf, officers from Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement and Special Investigations, KSP K-9 Trooper Dallas Eubank, the London Police Department, South East Kentucky Regional SRT, ATF and Laurel County EMS all assisted with the investigation.